S. Richard Harker, Sr.
October 13, 1919-January 27, 1989

    S. Richard Harker, Sr., 69, 1002 Herbert St., Niles, died Friday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 a.m. at Veteran's Administration Hospital in Ann Arbor.  Death followed a lengthy illness.
    A Navy veteran of World War II, Harker was born Oct. 13, 1919, in South Bend, Ind. He was a lifetime resident.
    He is survived by a son, S. Richard Harker Jr. of Mesa, Ariz.; a daughter, Sandra Crawford of Parma; three brothers, Donald, William and Jack of Niles; and four grandchildren.
    Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home.  The Rev. Arthur C. Murphy of Trinity United Methodist Church will officiate.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call Monday from 7-9 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 28, 1989, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Robert Foster
February 20, 1850-June 27, 1929


    Robert Foster, 79, a prominent lifelong resident of this section, died this morning at 4:36 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Margaret Walton, 520 Broadway, where he had been since last fall. His death followed several weeks of illness with heart disease.
    Mr. Foster was born on a farm in Niles township, north of Niles, in the Bend of the River section, on Feb. 20, 1850. The farm was located with that which he afterward acquired for himself five miles north of Niles and which he continued to operate as long as his health permitted.
    He was married on February 5, 1885 to Martha Burke, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew L. Burke at their home, their marriage uniting two prominent pioneer families. Two children were born to them of whom but one survives their father, Mrs. Walton, at whose home he died. The other child, Murray Foster, died two weeks after the death of his mother or in March 1927.  Besides his daughter, Mr. Foster is survived by one granddaughter, Martha Virginia Walton, by one brother, George Foster, of Niles, and one sister, Mrs. E.L. Snuff, who resides north of Niles.  Mr. Foster had made a success of farming, farm life particularly appealing to him and he had hoped to return to his farm for the summer.  He was highly regarded as a citizen of the community for the upright dealings and other excellent qualities.
    The funeral services will be held in Mrs. Walton's house on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 . .The Rev. G.W. Simon will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 27, 1929, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Steven R. Garlanger
September 2, 1986-February 3, 1989

    Steven R. Garlanger, 2, of 68 Marmont St., Niles, died at 5 p.m.  Friday, Feb. 3, at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis following an extended illness.
    Steven was born Sept. 26, 1986 in South Bend, Ind. and lived in Niles with his parents Robert and Diane Garlanger. Both survive.
    Other survivors include grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Reum of Niles and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Garlanger of South Bend; and great-grandparents Olive Reum of Niles, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kreitner of Niles, Inez Garlanger of New Carlisle, Ind. and Bertha Hollin of Adamsville, Tenn.
    Services are 3 p.m.  Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home.  The Rev. Leo E. Kostizen of St. Paul's Lutheran Church will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call from 2 to 3 pm. Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be given to the donor's choice.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 8, 1989, page 2, col 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Frederick August Malsch
May 4, 1862-August 31, 1925

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 31, 1925, page 4, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


    . . . well known farmer residing three miles north of the city, near Station 12, and a faithful worker in the St. Paul's Lutheran church, of this city for the past five years, passed away at his home at 8 o'clock this morning, following about a week's illness, with complications.
    Mr. Malsch is survived by his wife, by one daughter, Mrs. Augusta Knauf, and two sons, Carl and Rudolph, both at home.
    Funeral services will be held at  1:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the home and at 2:30 o'clock at St. Paul's Lutheran church on N. Seventh street.  Rev. O.E. Sohn will officiate.  Burial will take place at Silverbrook cemetery.

The Niles Daily Star, September 8, 1925, page 5, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


    A devoted father and husband, a loyal member and faithful worker in his church, a modest and unassuming neighbor, and a friend of all with whom he came into contact--these are the outstanding characteristics of Frederick August Malsch, who peacefully deserted this life on the morning of Aug. 31 at the age of 64 years.
    Born in Germany May 4, 1862, a son of Frederick Ernst and Christine Malsch, he come to this country at the age of 29.  After a brief sojourn in Niles, he lived for a time at Rockford, Ill., but soon returned here and purchased a farm three miles northwest of this city where he had lived since Oct. 7, 1896, he was joined in marriage to Anna Bachmann, with whom he led a happy wedded life.  He leaves, besides his widow, three children, Mrs. E. Knauff and two sons, Carl and Rudolf. A brother, Caspar, and two sisters, Marie and Caroline, are still living in Germany.  His parents and two sisters preceded him into death.
    The funeral service was conducted Sept. 2 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he was a charter member.  Rev. O.E. Sohn officiated.  After a brief reading service at his home, his body was escorted to the church by six of his neighbors as pallbearers, while six members of the church accompanied his remains to Silverbrook cemetery.  There he now rests from his labors until the dawning of the great resurrection morn.  Among out-of-town friends were Otto Reum, Mr. and Mrs. C. Schrumpt of Galien, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bachmann and daughter of Dowagiac.
    The death, though sudden, was not unexpected.  He had been ailing for some time.  The final illness lasted scarcely a week. Death was pronounced due to cancer of the bladder.

Alfred Zimmerman
November 28, 1885-September 30, 1937


    Services for Alfred Zimmerman, 51, former resident of Niles who moved 30 years ago to Iowa City, Ia., were conducted at 10 o'clock this morning in the Price and Kiger chapel. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.  The Rev. Theo Eisen of St. John's Evangelical church, officiated.
    Mr. Zimmerman, who was born Nov. 28, 1885 in Niles, died Thursday after a five-year illness with a heart ailment. He was a son of the late Richard and Fanny Zimmerman.
    Survivors are the widow, the former Marie Cohee, whom he married Sept. 28, 1930; two sons, George and Elmer, and three brothers, Walter, Philadelphia,, Wilbur, Cleveland, and Elmer, Watertown, Wis., formerly manager of a Niles market.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 4, 1937, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Nora H. Miller
March 23, 1884-March 13, 1963

    Mrs. Nora H. Miller, 78, of 1424 Oak St., died at 5:30 a.m. today in her home.  She had been ill 12 years.
    Mrs. Miller was born March 23, 1884 in Bravo. She came to Niles from Fennvillle in 1923.
    Survivors include her husband, Albert; three daughters, Mrs. Agnes Townsley, and Miss Estelle Miller, both of Niles, and Mrs. Pauline Marchall, Battle creek[sic]; four grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home.  The Rev. Richard Fraser, pastor of St. John' s United Church of Christ, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends will be received at the funeral home beginning Thursday evening.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 13, 1963, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)